If your pregnancy test result was positive, your next step is getting a limited obstetrical ultrasound. There is crucial information about your pregnancy that only an ultrasound can give you. At the Pregnancy Resource Center, our ultrasounds are provided at no charge to you.
How An Ultrasound Works
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images from your uterus. When you come to us, a licensed medical professional will administer the ultrasound and review the results.
The sonographer will put a gel-like substance on your stomach. Then, an instrument called a transducer is rubbed over the gel. It records the echoes of the sound waves that bounce back. You cannot hear the sound waves, but you can view the image it creates on a computer screen.
Why You Need An Ultrasound
A pregnancy test alone will not give you the information you need about your pregnancy. Ultrasound confirms the pregnancy and also reveals how far along you are, where the pregnancy is located, and if the embryo is continuing to grow.
Finding Out If The Embryo Is Growing
Approximately 20% of known pregnancies end in a natural miscarriage and usually occur early in a pregnancy. Because they can happen before a woman is even aware she is pregnant, it is possible to receive a positive pregnancy test even if you have miscarried.
An ultrasound can tell whether the embryo is growing or not. The embryo’s developing heart begins beating by six weeks and can be clearly seen by 7 weeks. The heartbeat will tell you if the pregnancy is developing.
Determining How Far Along You Are
All normal pregnancies develop at the same rate. After six weeks, an ultrasound reveals the size of the fetus. Therefore the sonographer can estimate its gestational age. You will know when you most likely got pregnant and a due date.
If you are considering abortion, you should know that the abortion pill is only approved for use during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Taking it later in pregnancy increases the risk of complications from the abortion.
Knowing Where The Pregnancy Is Located
Sometimes the embryo implants somewhere other than in the uterus. This is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that always requires urgent medical care. The only way to know if your pregnancy is ectopic is to get an ultrasound. Treatment of an ectopic pregnancy requires surgery and/or a medication that is different than the abortion pill or other abortion procedures. Don’t put your health at risk! Make sure to get an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill.
Scheduling a Free Ultrasound
Contact us today to schedule a free ultrasound.
Please understand that the Pregnancy Resource Center does not provide or refer for abortion services. We do, however, provide several services that are important for your safety, including ultrasound and STI testing. Getting an ultrasound prior to abortion is vital for your health and is required by the state of Ohio. We strongly encourage you to receive an ultrasound prior to any abortion procedures, including the abortion pill. It’s best to get all the information you need for your safety! We are not here to judge or pressure you. Our services are always confidential and nonjudgmental. We want to be a source of hope and healing to you, regardless of what decision you make about your pregnancy.